Inspiration
8 Tips to take an amazing Christmas photo
Santa photos (and all sorts of holiday photos) are upon us and you know what that means: fun, festive photos to share with all your friends and family! However, making these magic moments happen isn’t so easy and sometimes the best photos are just not what you were hoping for!
Today’s smartphones do (almost) just as good a job as a pro shoot or complicated DSLR! With that in mind, here are some helpful tips on how to get that great festive family shot using your smartphone.
1. Dress for the occasion
As a general photography rule of thumb, choose neutral colours with no loud patterns that can be distracting.
Also avoid red in Santa photos, since Santa is dressed in red and this can cause you to blend into the photo. Try wearing something complimentary like white.
2. Clean your camera lense
Blurry photos can often occur because the lense is dirty or greasy from finger marks and dust, so take a moment to clean your lense with glasses cleaner and a soft cloth, or even your shirt (use soft material to avoid scratching the lense) and be amazed by the difference!
3. Activate the grid lines on your phone
Most smart phones have a grid lines function, which will allow you to better frame the photo. Whilst editing photos is super easy, it does reduce the resolution and integrity of an image when you start cropping.
4. Avoid zooming in or using the flash
Zooming into a picture will reduce the resolution and clarity of your photo, so try to move closer instead of using your zoom and take your time.
Smartphone flashes can be harsh so we suggest you avoid using them. If you are shooting at night or in a darker setting, try using a phone’s ‘night’ mode.
5. Steady yourself
Ideally, a tripod is the best tool to use, but sometimes (or most times), this isn’t practical, so a simple hack is to tuck your elbows into the sides of your body, near your waist, and move your body to take the shot. This should stop you moving slightly as you take the shot (who knew right??).
6. Portrait Mode – maybe yes, maybe no
Portrait mode (when the background blurs) works best when the area is well lit and when there aren’t a lot o subjects in the picture. So, if you have multiple people in the photo, its probably best to stick with the standard picture mode.
7. Burst it!
Burst mode takes a series of fast shots, almost like you are filming as your hold down the shutter button. This way, you are sure not to miss the split second when everyone is looking. You then access your photo gallery and can choose which photo(s) you’d like to keep.
8. Why not get creative?
In this digital age, why not use some fun filters and programs to change it up and post your photo’s on social media or send them as a digital ‘e-card’ to friends and family. Props are also a great way to make it fun and can be purchased from most department and variety stores.
We hope this has helped and would love to see your photos with Santa. Check our event dates for when you will have the opportunity to take your own photo.
Share the Christmas love with us and please tag us @kareelavillage to be featured on our social media pages.
Happy Clicking!
Looking After You
Do you have a healthy lifestyle?
What does it actually look like? It’s more than eating healthy and exercising (although these things are very important)!
Ask yourself, do I:
- Look after my emotional, mental and physical well being?
- Know how to balance my life when things feel out of control?
- Make time for myself?
Here’s some things you can do to look after yourself:
1. Bed Time Routine
Have a bed time routine that allows for at least 8 hours of sleep. It’s the only time where your mind and body get a chance to recharge, process and learn.
2. Get Moving
Get moving! Go for a walk, run or do a gym class. Exercise is proven to release endorphins and make you happier. It also increases your energy levels.
3. Do something to make you smile
Do something fun that makes you smile everyday! Take time to relax and unwind, spend time with people that make you feel good about you and allow you to express yourself.
4. Eat healthy
Eat healthy foods (real food including fruit, vegetables and grains). Try to drink at a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day, carrying a water bottle always helps reach this goal.
Limit (or avoid if you can), those nasty sugars, trans-fats and fake food because these are not your friend! They affect your body and your mind and can actually reduce your ability to cope and increase mood-swings.
If you find healthy eating a challenge, being time poor or many other reasons, consider introducing vitamins or whole food powders. SHANGA Spa & Bar are currently stocking Nutraceutical Whole food powders that target cell support for healthy ageing, liver and gut support and support for healthy joints, bones, hair skin and nails. Kareela Community Pharmacy stock a range of vitamins to help you supplement nutrients that you might be missing.
Taking care of you will help you take care of others and be better in all aspects of your life and help you live a healthy, happy and balanced life.
Homemade Beauty Treatments
Have you ever read the back of your moisturiser or any other beauty product and wondered what all those ingredients are? Us too! As a society, we are drawn toward a more natural approach to our food and our beauty treatments. Swapping parabens for natural oils and ingredients that can be found at our local grocer, pharmacy, fridge or fruit bowl.
We scoured the internet and came across the shocking fact (yes, we know!) that Kendall Jenner once had spots! Unbelieveable right? Her clear-skin solution? A home-made pimple treatment and face mask applied weekly.
So, we are sharing her secrets with you, so you too can have (or at least work toward) healthy, spot free skin.
The pimple popper
1. 1 egg white, beaten till foamy
2. half a lemon, juiced.
Mix together and apply to clean skin. Go lie down and relax for 30 minutes before rinsing and removing with a face cloth soaked in warm water.
The science:
Egg white is packed with protein and amino acids and works wonders at tightening pores, while the acidity of the lemon will help with pimples.
The zit zapper
1. ½ tsp lemon juice
2. ½ tsp baking soda
3. 1 tsp honey
Mix ingredients together until well combined and then apply to individual spots. Leave on overnight and rinse off in the morning.
The science
Honey has antibacterial properties so it will help to keep skin clear, while the acidity in the lemon and baking soda will help remove oil and shrink spots.
…because it takes a village, we got you!